|
New Delhi: In a major
embarrassment for parliamentary democracy, a scuffle broke out
between Congress leader Rashid Alvi and Bharatiya Janata Party
leader S.S. Ahluwalia in the parliament complex Thursday in full
media view.
The two senior politicians were coming out of a meeting of the
Parliamentary Standing Committee on unique identity number (UID),
when Alvi alleged that Ahluwalia had leaked the committee report
to the press.
Ahluwalia then tried to snatch Alvi's mobile phone, and allegedly
pushed him.
Alvi alleged the BJP leader had leaked the report of the standing
committee to the press and he received a call on his phone from a
man thanking Ahluwalia for the report.
"Report is confidential unless it is presented in parliament. But
I got calls from some reporters and they talked to me, thinking I
am Ahluwalia," Alvi told reporters later.
"I raised this in the meeting (of Parliamentary Standing
Committee), and he tried to snatch my mobile. When I came out of
the meeting, a lot of reporters were there. In their presence, he
not only tried to snatch my mobile but in a very uncultured
manner, he pushed me back," he said.
"I did not respond... this is against the dignity of parliament
and parliament members. I think he did not realise what he was
doing and what message will go to people," Alvi said.
He added: "I forgive him."
Ahluwalia, however, rebutted the charge of having leaked the
report and said he was trying to take Alvi's phone to see the
number.
"The charge against me is false, this is my 24th year in
parliament. I have never leaked a report; if I leak a report, I
will openly say I have given that," Ahluwalia said.
"He said I have proof Ahluwalia has leaked the report. He said
someone called his number and said 'thank you very much Mr.
Ahluwalia you gave us the report'. I asked him to give the number
and name of the person, he refused to do that," the BJP leader
told a news channel.
"All journalists were standing there, he again dialled some number
and said 'you wanted to talk to Mr. Ahluwalia'. I asked who is the
person but he refused to tell. I wanted to take the number from
his phone," he said.
Ahluwalia also said he was ready for any media trial.
"Ask him which journalist called him, take the number, ask the
journalist. I am ready to face any media trial for it," the BJP
leader declared.
While Alvi is a spokesperson for the Congress, Ahluwalia is the
deputy leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
|
Comments
|
Quick links